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 Coping
with the 9.11.01 Aftermath
9.11 Coping Strategies
Helping Children Cope with the Emotional Aftermath
Coping.org is committed to providing strategies of coping for
children. For this reason this section of the Tribute Page will be a growing
memorial to the Victims of September 11, 2001, because we will be cataloguing
suggestions, tips, insights, strategies, or intervention protocols to use with
children who are suffering or who will be suffering emotionally
related problems in the aftermath of this national disaster.
Content:
Specific Coping Strategies with Children
Children Therapists Helpful Hints
School Based Coping Activities for Students and
Teachers
Helpful Organizations for Tips with Children
Internet Articles on Children's Coping since 9.11
Books for Young Children on 9.11
A number of books have come out for young children to help them deal with
9.11. The descriptions below for these books come mainly from their publishers
or reviews which the publishers have placed on their advertisements for these
books.
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A Day I'll Never Forget- A Keepsake To Help Children Deal With The September
11th, 2001 Attack on America By LaTania Love Wright This is a book
intended for every child between the ages of 4 to 10 years old who watched the
worst attack on America in the history of time from their television set. This
book is a keepsake in which the child's name, date given, and who the book was
given by can be recorded. The fact that it is a coloring book involves the
child in the reading and is a very educational resource that can be used in a
classroom or family setting. It is a resource that allows children to express
their own individual feelings about that horrible day.
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And God Cried, Too- A Kid's Book of Healing and Hope by Rabbi Marc Gellman
Little Angel Mike is an angel in training. He doesn't understand how God can
let bad things happen in the world. Whether it's the tragic events of
September 11, 2001, or the loss of a beloved pet, shouldn't God be able to
stop the bad things? Big Angel Gabe is a wise old angel, and it's his job to
help answer Little Angel Mike's tough questions and to guide him through the
mystery of suffering and into a hopeful place. In a nonpreachy, accessible
manner, the message of God's great compassion and our ability to bear even the
greatest burdens is offered here with a gentle wisdom.
-
Bravemole By Lynne Jonell reenacts the events of September 11 through
the eyes of an animal who perhaps can help young readers to shoulder their
fears. Mole wears a hard-hat, carries a lunch pail and lives in a burrow with
his molewife and babymole. When Mole tells Babymole a bedtime story about
dragons, Babymole asks, "Will a dragon come to get me, Daddy?" "No, Son." Mole
says. "Dragons are far away from my little babymole." But the very next day,
two terrifying dragons destroy the tallest molehills in the city. From a
sheltered spot amidst the wreckage, Mole feels called to return and help
others. Jonell plants a spiritual undercurrent with references to Mole's
prayers to an Overmole. She draws a contrast between Mole (as an "ordinary
mole") and the "Bigmoles" and "Smartmoles" that emphasizes the importance of
everyday heroes, yet youngsters may not understand the social distinction or
the idea of working-class firefighters, police officers and others rescuing
elite stockbrokers. The stronger theme underscores the tenuous reassurance
between father and son: upon Mole's return home that night, Babymole asks,
"Will I get to go fight the dragons, Daddy?" "No," replies Mole. "We grown-ups
will fight them for you." Images of the moles fleeing the fire and the
dragons' attack may make this best suited for reading with an adult, as well
as for children who already know about the events of that day. Ages 5-up.
-
Come And Abide (We Are All The Same Inside By Timothy D. Bellavia and Randi
Cannata's 4th Grade T.A.G. @ P.S. 175 Q. District 28 N.Y.C. came about
as a result of collaborative efforts with twenty-six 4th grade children at
P.S. 175 Q. in New York City. The author's primary purpose is to help young
learners understand tolerance while exploring the various aspects of
diversity. The 4th graders along with Mr. Bellavia illustrated and chronicled
the events of 9/11 through the eyes of the book's series character, "Sage"
Sage is writing to his sisters Maestra and Hip- hop to come to earth and help
earthling's realize that regardless of their external differences they are all
the same inside.
All profits of this book will go to the NY Firefighter's Fund.
-
The Day America Cried By Dr. Teri J. Schwartz This children's book
describes the events of 9/11/01 and in the weeks that follow. It tells a story
different from what is likely to be told in history books. It captures the
moments as they were lived without generating fear and provides a message of
hope and courage. The book focuses not only on the events themselves but our
reactions to the events such as emotions, acts of kindness and our need to
continue onward in spite of fear and uncertainty. It attempts to explain why
9/11 occurred without prejudice.
-
Do Not Be Sad- A Chronicle of Healing Compiled By Ladder Company Fire Engine
Company 24 Children's letters and artwork sent from across America to
Engine 24 Ladder 5 FDNY after 9/11. A tribute with colorful drawings and
letters from a nation's children to Manhattan firefighters. Essays and
reflection by leaders from both New York and the nation. Proceeds go to the
youngest victims of September 11 through The Children's Aid Society. This is a
book that is written by children. It reflects all the love, affirmation and
hope through a child's eye. This particular firehouse was one of the first on
the scene and lost 11 of its members on 9/11. Children from across the country
sent words and pictures of hope and love to these grieving firefighters and
their families. After 9/11, an ad agency in the neighborhood offered to help
the firefighters any way they could. Together with the firemen, they gathered
these images and letters and put together this book.
-
Fireboat- The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey By Maira Kalman
In relating the heroic role of the John J. Harvey on September 11, Kalman
intelligently conveys those unfathomable events in a way that a picture book
audience can comprehend. She begins with the year 1931, which saw some of New
York City's finest hours
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Frankie Wonders ... What Happened Today- By Yvonne Conte a look
through a 4 year olds eyes at the horrific events of September 11th. Little
Frankie knows something is wrong but he doesn't know what and he doesn't why
his family is so sad. The story guides Frankie through feelings of anger,
confusion and fear. It is a book not only for children but for adults as well.
Everyone needs what Frankie needs.
-
It's Still a Dogs New York- A Book of Healing By Susan L. Roth In this
parable of childhood bereavement, Pepper and Rover, two New York dogs, are
miserable after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Pepper feels overwhelmed
with sadness and fear and anger. But in a tour of New York City, his friend
Rover shows him that even though they’re sad, they can go on. Pepper learns
that helping others, expressing his feelings, celebrating the bravery of
rescue workers, and allowing himself to enjoy life can lead to healing; that
the pair are not underdogs, but top dogs; that Americans are strong enough to
survive and thrive, that It’s Still a Dog’s New York.
-
Mouse Family Most Terrible, Terrifying Day- Helping Children Cope With
Terrorism Fears By Dr. Joan S. Dunphy Malachy Mouse and his family are
newcomers to New York City, having moved into their basement cubby hole just
days before September 11th. After the terrorist attack, they are evacuated
from their home and decide to stay with Cousin Joel and his family. But their
cousin works in one of the towers and he does not return home. With the
children traumatized, the adults decide to show them all the ways others are
working to protect them. They visit firefighters, police, rescue workers,
rescue dogs, medical personnel, airport security and a military base. Then
they discuss ways they can help, too. Compassionate and accessible, this book
helps children open up about their fears and provides parents and all those
who work with children a tool with which to calm youngsters’ anxieties and
lighten the burdens on small shoulders.
- My
Dad's Footsteps by Patti Bongiorno, dedicated to the children who lost
Dads on September 11. It is a story of the bond between a Dad and his Child –
the love, the laughter, the loss, and finally, the learning to live without
that very special person. The week of Father's Day, over 1,000 books were
shipped to the New York locations of The Salvation Army for distribution to
children who lost their Dads that terrible day in September.
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On That Day By Andrea Patel offers a heart-warming reminder about how
we can live our lives, and face up to tragedy and disaster, without losing
hope, or faith in humankind. Today, it is a daunting, yet necessary task to
explain the World Trade Center attacks to young children. Now, there seems
clearly a good and evil in our world that heretofore did not exist so vividly
and nearby. Now, monsters and sinister characters inhabit places that were
once reserved for things that lived under beds and in dark closets. What makes
this book so special is not the honest and non-threatening descriptions of
what happened, but also the delivery of the message that an attainable hero
lives in all of us.
-
Rudy and The Magical Twin Balloons By Kathy Rozek
Rudy was a young boy who lived in a big city and had many friends.
Some time ago, he had been asked to watch over 2 huge, bright beautiful
balloons. The "Twin Balloons". Rudy didn't know it, but these Twin Balloons
had very special magical powers.. This book is dedicated to children of all
ages who have been affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2002. And,
to honor the thousands of heroes born on that mournful day in New York City,
Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. That we may find comfort in the legacies
they leave behind. They will be in our hearts forever. For all the days that
we had with them and for all the lives they touched, this book serves as a
loving reminder of the peaceful place they now call home. And, to the man
whose courage and compassion inspired a nation to stand strong, Rudy Guliani,
esteemed citizen of New York, legendary Mayor of America.
-
September 12th- We Knew Everything Would Be All Right by First Grade Students
of H. Byron Masterson Elementary in Kennett Missouri On September 11th
horrific events occurred, yet through the simple text and vibrant art of first
graders, we are reminded that the world continued the next day. On each page,
children experience the comforts of ordinary routines, such as their teacher
reading books to them, having homework and recess, and knowing that 2 + 2
still equals 4. This is a poignant message of hope that reassures us all that
even after bad things happen, tomorrow always brings a new day.
-
September 11, 2001- A Simple Account for Children By Nancy Poffenberger
This is a book written for children ages 6-12 about the events of
Septembeer 11th. It is a l6 page book with illustrations done by 4th and 5th
graders at The Lotspeich School in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is written to help
young children better understand the events of September 11th. It has been
very well received by school principals, psychologists, parents and
grandparents. It is factual yet emphasizes the patriotism of our country
rather than dwelling on the attack.
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Terrorism- The Only Way Is Through- A Child's Story By Rosina G. Schnurr
tells the story of eight-year old Mark and his four-year old brother,
Jamie, who suffer the loss of their mother as a result of the terrorist
attacks of September 11th, 2001, in New York City. This book helps children to
understand their thoughts and feelings with respect to terrorism. It shows
families, professionals, and others how to help children to cope with
post-traumatic stress, identify warning signs, and the issues to be addressed.
The book will be particularly helpful for children ages six to twelve. These
children will readily identify with the thoughts and feelings of the main
character. Older children will benefit from reading the book by themselves,
especially if they are not yet ready or willing to talk about their thoughts
and feelings. Younger children will benefit from having the book read and
explained to them.
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This Place I Know- Poems of Comfort Edited By Georgia Heard Created
especially for New York City schoolchildren, includes 18 works, beginning with
Eloise Greenfield's "This Place," and including poems by Karla Kuskin,
Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman and Heard herself. Each is paired with
illustrations by artists such as Kevin Hawkes, Chris Raschka, Petra Mathers
and William Steig. A portion of the profits from the sale of the book benefit
Save the Children. Ages 6-up.
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Where Does a Mom's Love Go by Patti Bongiorno, dedicated to a Mom who
perished in the World Trade Center on September 11 and written for the
children she left behind. This book was published to comfort those who have
lost a Mom and to raise funds for children in need. Hundreds of books were
donated through The Salvation Army in New York and given to the children who
lost their Moms in the World Trade Center.
| If you come across materials which you believe should be
included on this website please email it to jjmess@tampabay.rr.com |
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